Having been on the other side, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher knew he had to visit ex-Dwyer standout Julian Whigham in hospital

Jimbo Fisher had never had been in a situation where an opposing player was forced to miss his team’s flight back home because of an injury.

But Fisher was on the other side two years ago when FSU running back Chris Thompson had to remain in Winston-Salem when he broke two vertebrae in his back during a game against Wake Forest. So on Saturday, Fisher knew what he had to do when former Dwyer High standout cornerback Julian Whigham was in a Tallahassee hospital because of a hit to the chest area after his Syracuse teammates has left Tallahassee.
“I didn’t know if his parents were here or what was going on,” Fisher said today. “I know on the other side when I had to leave Chris Thompson. … I went to the hospital after the game and saw him as much as I could but I had to take the team back home. I wanted to go by and make sure (Whigham) was okay. I got so see him and make sure if they needed anything, make sure they had the numbers to people here if we could help with whatever they may need.

“We’re all competitors but at the end of the day these are kids. They’re somebody’s babies. If that was one of my children I’d want somebody to look out for them.”

Whigham, a 6-foot-1, 187-pound sophomore, coughed up blood on the field after taking a shot on a play in which FSU receiver Rashad Greene caught a TD pass. Whigham collided with teammate, safety Jeremi Wilkes, whose shoulder caught Whigham in the chest area.

Whigham was kept overnight for observation after doctors determined he had no internal injuries. He was released on Sunday and expected to fly home today.

Fisher on focus

Fisher, once again would not answer any questions about QB Jameis Winston’s legal issues, but he was asked about the team’s ability to focus on the games.

“We address everything,” Fisher said. “Kids know what’s going on, no matter what the situations are that’s an important part of being a good team is being able to focus and control things you are able to control.”